BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – For the first time in 116 years, the Intercollegiate Rowing Association (IRA) announced it’s Championship fields via an online selection show, where No. 19 Florida Tech was chosen as an automatic qualifier for the 5th consecutive year to the 2018 IRA National Championships held on Mercer Lake in West Windsor, New Jersey.

This year, the Panthers will field three V8 crews consisting of a varsity heavyweight, junior varsity heavyweight, and third varsity heavyweight. Across the eight fields, there are a total of 62 other crews that made Final Selections.

The stage is a familiar one for head coach Jim Granger, as his 2015 Crimson and Gray V8 crew hosted it’s highest finish at the National Championships in program history, finishing 14th after outsprinting No. 15 Wisconsin and No. 21 Hobart on the same course.

During the 2017 campaign, the Panthers finished 18th overall but will look to place much higher during this year’s regatta after returning 6-of-9 oarsmen from last year’s V8 crew. The eight has rowed some solid races this season and should do well against its competition this year.

The National Championships are set for June 1-3, 2018 and will begin at 8 a.m. ET.

For more information about the 2018 IRA National Championships click HERE, or head to FloridaTechSports.com to keep up with the latest news.